Leonard's car stopped right in front of my house.
"Thank you, sir," I quickly got out of the car.
"Amelia," Leonard called out to me.
"Yes?" I turned around
I noticed him bringing out something from his suit pocket.
"Huh, how did you get this?" I thought I had lost my ID somewhere. What was it doing with Leonard?
"I discovered this was lost or perhaps forgotten, so I decided to give it back to the owner," he said with a straight face without breaking eye contact.
"But-, never mind…Thanks," I snatched it from him as I hurriedly got into my house.
I could feel his gaze boring holes into my back while walking away, God help me, because I'd never turn back to look.
Immediately I got into the house, I peeped through the window to see if his car had left already. And fortunately, after a while his car drove away.
I sighed
"What are you doing?"
I was startled when I heard a voice behind me. I quickly turned around to see a young-looking boy, he was tall and wore glasses, had very fair skin, pink cheeks…
But none could compare to Leonard.
Wait a second! Why am I even thinking about Leonard right now!!
"Amelia?" the boy called out my name. Not only did I not know who this stranger in my house was, but the stranger also knew my name!
"Who are you? And what are you doing at my house!?" I raised my bag, ready to strike.
"Hey, hey! Calm down, okay?!"
"I'm the son of your mom's friend."
"The son of my mom's friend?" I was confused, but I didn't know this guy.
"Oh, seems like the kids have met already!" We both turned our heads.
I saw this beautiful, dainty middle-aged lady who carried herself in a very sophisticated way. Her skin was a gorgeous pale color. Her eyes were in the shape of an almond, and her dimples showed up at the corners of her mouth as she smiled. She wore a very elegant floral dress that accentuated her curves. My mom was beside her as well, and she smiled at me and the boy beside me.
"Aunt Luciana!!" I ran to hug her.
She was my mom's best friend since they were in high school, more like childhood friends. They slept together, ate together, and hung out together. They were Inseparable, not after Aunt Luciana left the country.
She spread her arms wide with a smile as she hugged me.
"Oh my! I missed you so much, Amelia!"
"You're all grown up now!" She stepped back to have a full look at me.
"But you haven't aged at all, no one will ever know you're a 23-year-old lady."
I chuckled.
"Of course she takes over my genes," My Mom grinned.
"I missed you, Aunty, it's been years since I last saw you," I smiled.
"I just came back to the country, I'll be staying here from now on, I'm not leaving again."
"Right, Ace, come here, don't just stand there" My Mom called out to the boy that was behind me.
"Ace?" I turned to look at him.
I don't remember Aunt Luciana having a son; she was married but couldn't give birth. Which made her husband impregnate another woman. I remember how Aunt Luciana wouldn't shed a single tear when she found out her husband had cheated on her. She was a very strong lady, but she couldn't bear to stay here any longer and decided to start a new life in another country after she divorced her husband.
"Yes, this is my stepson, Ace. Ace, this is Amelia, my best friend's daughter. I bet you've heard about her already." Aunt Luciana smiled at Ace.
"Yes, I've heard of her so many times," Ace fiddled with his fingers.
"Really? that's awesome! that way the kids will get to know each other better," my mom beamed.
I felt Something fishy was going on here.
"We'll be going out for dinner, Amelia, so go freshen up," Aunt Luciana said.
"Let me go freshen up, I'll be right back," I smiled as I quickly ran up to my room.
Aunt Luciana turned to look at Ace.
"Why didn't you say something, why are you suddenly quiet now?" she said to Ace.
"Nothing, Mom," he lowered his head as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt.
"It's alright, Luciana, he's just getting to know more about his surroundings, okay?" My Mom said.
"What's wrong? Why do you keep shaking?" Aunt Luciana walked towards Ace with a worried expression on her face.
Even though he was her stepson, she loved him dearly and took him as her own son.
"He doesn't do too well." My Mom had a slight frown on her face.
"I'm fine, just a little nervous that I'm going to meet my Dad." he lowered his head even more, his voice trembling.
"Come here," Aunt Luciana said, hugging him to calm down. Ace wrapped his hands tightly around her as he hugged her.
"Don't worry, and your mom will be here for you," My Mom said reassuringly.